Travel Guides

Black Heritage Trail

Today Beacon Hill brings to mind images of affluence and
luxurious living, yet until the end of the 19th century it
contained a community of free blacks and escaped slaves from the
southern states who owned businesses, built houses and schools, and
worshipped together in the churches. Although the black community
has since shifted to other parts of Boston, the Black Heritage
Trail covers 14 sites important in local black history.
Massachusetts was the first state to abolish slavery in 1783.

Beginning at the Boston Common, there is a memorial to slave
abolitionist Robert Shaw who led the first black regiment recruited
during the Civil War. Various sites on Beacon Hill include homes of
famous citizens, the city's first racially integrated public school
with exhibits portraying the struggle for equal school rights, and
a house that was part of the famous 'Underground Railroad' that
sheltered runaway slaves from their pursuers. The African Meeting
House, part of the Museum of Afro-American History, is one of the
most interesting stops on the trail; it was the first black church
in the United States, known as 'Black Faneuil Hall' during the
anti-slavery campaign. Here famous abolitionist speeches were made
and black people were called to take up arms in the Civil War.
There is an informative audiovisual presentation in the
gallery.

Although this is a complete self-guided trail with brochures and
maps provided by the Museum of Afro-American History, park rangers
also give free daily two-hour tours, which start at the National
Park Service Visitor Center.

Address: The trail starts from the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common or at the Museum of Afro-American History at 46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill